Key witness in Jaimes murder trials killed in Rockford violence

ROCKFORD — Linda McDowell is tired of the endless violence. Two years ago her son, DeMarkis Robinson, was gunned down. A couple of months ago, her house was hit by gunfire. On Saturday, Robinson’s close friend, William R. Patrick, was shot to death.

On Saturday, Robinson’s close friend, William R. Patrick, was shot to death.

Patrick, 21, was a key witness to DeMarkis’ slaying — the Insane Unknowns street gang members were together when the 16-year-old East High School student was shot May 27, 2010, in the area of Fifth Avenue and Ninth Street.

McDowell says he had been pressured to not testify about it.

The shootings might be random, but she can’t help but wonder whether they were retaliation.

“I am not afraid. There’s nothing today that can really put fear in me because you live and you die. I am going to stand up for what is right.”

Patrick’s cooperation with police in part led to the arrest of brothers and Latin King gang members Ricardo, 21, and Isaac Jaimes, 20, on charges of murder. There were allegations that an unidentified gang member threatened Patrick into recanting his statements to police, he testified at Ricardo Jaimes’ trial and was expected to testify at Isaac’s.

Judge John Truitt urged authorities to investigate, but no charges of intimidation or witness harassment were ever filed.

Patrick’s testimony was a key part of the Ricardo’s trial; he was sentenced to 70 years in prison for the murder of Robinson and the attempted murder of Patrick.

Isaac is accused of pulling the trigger of a .22-caliber rifle used to kill Robinson.

Lawyers had challenged Patrick’s statements and questioned the validity of his identification of the brothers in police photo lineups.

Patrick was shot while he was driving in the area of Sixth Street and 15th Avenue by occupants of another vehicle. No arrests have been made.

Isaac Jaimes’ defense attorney, Debra Schafer, said it is questionable whether Patrick’s testimony at the first trial, his statements to police and his photo IDs were admissible before or after his death.